Labor productivity is tracked for almost every sector of the workforce except state and local government workers. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) stopped tracking data on the labor productivity of state and local government workers in 1994, even though they continue to track the labor productivity of federal government as well as private sector workers. State policymakers need access to sound data on the labor productivity of state and local government workers in order to make informed policy decisions about taxing and spending. The State and Local Government Labor Productivity Data Collection Act requires the state to collect his data and make it available to the public.

Model Legislation

{Title, enacting clause, etc.}

Section 1. {Title} This Act may be cited as the State and Local Government Labor Productivity Data Collection Act.

Section 2. {Statement of Purpose} It is the intent of the LEGISLATIVE BODY to require the [insert appropriate state agency] to collect data on the labor productivity of state and local government workers in {insert state}.

Section 3. {Definitions}

(A) “labor productivity” means the output per man hour of labor.

(B) “state and local government workers” means all persons employed by the state or political subdivisions of {insert state},whether full-time, part-time, contractual, salaried or paid by the hour.

Section 4. {Amendment to State Code}

(A) {insert appropriate state agency} shall annually collect and publish data on the labor productivity of state and local government workers in the state of {insert state}. {insert appropriate state agency} shall use the same methodology used by the federal Bureau of Labor statistics to calculate the productivity of federal government workers.

(B) {insert appropriate agency} shall furnish the state legislature with a report on the trends in state and local government worker labor productivity no later than February of each year.